A Church where everyone is a V.I.P

Underneath the multi million rand property, the Sunday line up of luxury cars at an affluent suburb  of Sandton is a South African led church that cares about the well being of people, family and the country.  
Pastor Wilma and Andre Olivier in their Sandton Church in South Africa. All pics taken from their social media pages mainly Instagram.
 It doesn't matter what  background you from, color, nationality or status in society you will find something that will attract you to stay in this  spiritual home.Yes it uses its glamorous state of the art building to lure lost souls and pray long enough that they see beyond the Sunday church event that sees singer and now author, Lloyd Cele amongst its worship leaders.
Idols SA finalist, Loyd Cele lead the worship team every Sunday.

 Humanity, humbleness and humility is the order of the day and triumph any pride or ego. But you will still  be treated as a VIP from the moment you step out of your car.
Every church service, pastor Andre meet and chat with guest and members of the congregation

Screengrab from the churche's instagram page

"Welcome to Church, enjoy the service, let me help you with your child mam and hop on the cart let me give you a lift inside" are  some of the first words you will hear from the moment you step out of your car. The car guards and ushers, some I'm told are doctors, engineers and almost any top profession you can think of. Since its situated in one of the wealthiest suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa the church attracts members from Africa and all over the world. But its senior pastor, Andre Olivier and his wife, Wilma were once drug addicts from Cape Town.
The church has bought the Kyalami on track. The venue used to host the annual LGBTI event, Feathers.
"When I started this church, I wanted everyone to belong. I remember during our first days, a security guard once came to me and ask if he can come to church. How could I say no to him," Pastor Wilma as she preaches to a fully packed audience of females who have gathered for her monthly girls meeting, Sisters of Africa.
Before the meeting, the ladies are given a free pampering treatment, from massages, spar treatment and a market which often sells ladies clothes that are branded with positive inspirational messages.
last year's cover copy of the Sisters of Africa magazine
Both her and her husband are business minded and have authored numerous books published.They have collaborated those skills and material to cater for the congregation as they connect over a healthy snack or ground coffee often prepared and sold but the same members of the congregation who have committed their time to volunteer in the church. The church is attached to  Hillsong Church.

My instagram pic at sisters. My new friend is @resh1203 on Instagram please follow her.
 Rivers Church is a family church and caters for individual spiritual needs of each member of the family. With its children's area, Kids Zone a hit to all the visitors and  us single moms. The youngsters have their annual youth  summer camp that is praised for boasting confidence and building friendship amongst teenagers.
My son, Siphiwokuhle Ndabeni with an award he achieved after 
The youth camp also helps new families who have just relocated from all over the country and continent as the youngster are able to quickly make friends.
activities outside the Kids Zone
Another extension of engaging with the congregation intimately is through a connect groups which runs every fortnight Thursday. In these groups are scattered all over Johannesburg and hosted in members homes. This is where believers are provoked in their thinking of what the Sunday message meant to their lives but also challenged to apply the Biblical principals in their daily lives.


Above is a picture of me on the day I was baptized and Kimantha and Saagar are leading a connect group that I belong to.

A child dedication service taking place
I have been following pastor Andre's  preaching for the past two years, I could say he is a firm believer that change starts with an individual before impacting the community,country and the world at large.  His time on stage doesn't last any longer than 45 minutes preaching and all his Biblical teachings are practical. From how to deal with your finances as an individual and business to being the one who influence positive change in the work place or business. His messages are often well researched with him reading across all genre to find quotes of world leaders and ordinary people to tie in with his topic.
The church believe it exist to worship, reach, connect with people all kinds as well encourages volunteering
If you are looking for a spiritual home this Easter, this might be a home for you. Try them
The history of the magnet spiritual sanctuary that  draws thousands of multiracial crowd also has a history of humble beginnings and many obstacles including that of neighbours complaining about influx and being accused of preaching the gospel of prosperity.
A meeting taking place at one of the baby classes of the church. Children from the age of 1 upwards have their own classes and teachings are relevant for that particular group.
"It is through giving, I would like to call it sowing that we are able to build this campus and buy the one in Kyalami, Ballito and Centurion.  Everything we do, we do it for the people cause we want to win souls for the house of God"said pastor Andre in one of the sermons.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BASED ON MY OBSERVATIONS
1. The fancy building and luxury cars might intimidate you but if you approach any of the members, they will gladly show you the way.
2. If you do stay you will be encouraged to be volunteer in any of the department of the church. 
pastor Andre encourages reading. I purchased these at a Sisters of Africa Conference two years ago. American based life coach, Valorie Burton is billed to speak again this year. I'm giving away two tickets. Simply like, share and comment on the article.
3. You will be encouraged to read books not only spiritual books but across all genres so you are aware of what is happening around you and strengthen your spiritual journey.
If you do become a member, there will be times when you are called to pray for the country and its leaders. But that is for an hour once every third month
5.While the ladies have Sisters of Africa Conference, there is a Men's Conference too. This year, Austrailian based pastor and Evangelist, Brian Houston of the Hillsong Church is billed to speak at the conference.
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Comments

  1. KeenangramsApril 16, 2019 at 5:42 AM

    12 Years ago on an Easter Sunday I walked into this church an insecure teenager getting drunk every weekend to fit in. Fast forward 12 years I have a strong and daily growing relationship with Jesus, have found my purpose, am confident in my identity, developed my skills that shape what I do everyday, met my wife (who I've been friends with for 12 years now and built strong friendships with people who challenge and encourage me daily to become a better version of myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. khanyi Ndabeni Kunene����April 16, 2019 at 9:00 AM

      I'm glad to hear that man...Rivers just has a way with people. I was an empty soul when I joined two years ago. There's something about reading the Bible and following Pastor Andre's messages that challenged my identity

      Delete
    2. khanyi Ndabeni Kunene����April 16, 2019 at 11:37 PM

      I meant challenged me to know more about my roots, God and everything started making sense. I also embraced my writing talent and learnt that it's God given hence everything that came with it

      Delete

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